The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-14


Tennesseeans view with apathy and
Indifference. The fact is worth gtten-
ton, and it ia not alone.
-.
TB 4 GOVERNORS MEssAGE-ED-
UUATION.
There is a spirit OF progress now ex-
isting in Tennessee that has been
aroused by the brilliant prospects
opening to the State from the in
creased prosperity OF its agricultural
population. the opening Of mines, the
establishment Of manufactures, and
the extension Of commerce. To sus-
tain this spirit and to put to the best
use the splendid opportunities that
have opened since the war, there must
be corresponding degree Of
general intelligence. Indolently to
rely upon natures gifts will not adj
vance the State; those gifts are the
raw material which can add to our
permanent wealth only az IL is in
telllgently used. AS it is desirable
that our own citizens should be main
ly benefited by what nature has be-
slowed, they must have the re.
quirsd intelligence, or the advantages
We possess will be the gain OF
strangers who, having the requisite
intelligence, will become possestors Of
what we should retain as our own.
There lie no want OF brain power in
Tennessee, but to make 1t available 1t
must be cultivated by education, and
the educator Of the masses is the pub
lie school, and no money the State
spends does the amount OF public and
permanent good that comes from the
teaching oil the young The Govern
or, we are glad to see, finds himself
able in his message to the Legislature
to speak Of "a gratifying and steady
improvement OF our public school
system" The funds received in the
State for education show an increase
OF $78,998 10 over those OF the pre-
oediDg year; the scholastic populs-
ton increased 1889 during the year,
and 273 schoolhouses were erected.
This latter item is especially enc our
aging, but we miss any statement Of
extension OF the time annually devoted
to tuition, and wish the Governor
had urged upon the Legislature the
absolute necessity OF providing that
everywhere throughout the Safe the
children should have opportunity Of
receiving at least five months teach
ing in every twelve. The pay OF teach
ersshould be sufficiently & bod to secure
the service OF well qualified instruct
orr. With the prospect Of Furnishing
finances in the future, it is to bs ie-
=, GREETED that provision for more ex-
tended Tins and superior quality Of
instruction were not urged in the mes
sage, The future looks more promis.
ing, however, in consequence of the
, success OF the institutes for teachers.
They have aroused the interest of the
teachers in their work, added to their
qualifications, improved their methods
and elevated their standard OF excel
leucs. Our active State Superintendent
deserves the thanks OF the community
Tor what be has accomplished by these
institutee,a and it ia gratifying to see that
Gov. Bate recommends to the Legjsla-
ture that substantial aid be given to
them, recommendation that should
meet with hearty response. But the
teachers individually should be fairly
paid, which they are not COW, as they
advance in competency. The public
school is the grand pivot upon which
the future Of the State will turn. With
au intelligent population, what State
in the Union could precede Tennes-
seer With the apathy and helpless.
ness that accompanies ignorance, the
prISis within our reach will 60 to
strangers whose knowledge exceeds
our own. Tennessee has the advant.
Age Of having normal institution for
the training Of teachers; the result OF
its efforts will be- excellent. So highly
does the Governor ESTEEM its advan-
tages that be reckons them ito be
qllte up with, il not in advance Of
many Of our sister States" The Ten
nessse Normal College, In which the
Nashville University and the Peabody
fund cooperate, is another excel
lent institution which has the Gov.
etnor 8 communication. The Univenity
Of Tennessee, where there Is manual
training as we'll as classical instrus.
tion, is an Institution Tennessee may
be proud Of. The school for the desf
mutee, the Governors message states, is
still conducted with ability and sue
cess, aud that for the blind is compli
msntsd for the capacity OF its capable
instructors, and it is commended to
the fostering care Of the State. We
must confess that the educational por.
ton Of the Governors message disap'